The ultimate Cozumel dive ops thread

[Moonglow]

... Creating a spread sheet might be the easy part---keeping it up to date would be entirely impractical.

Dave Dillehay
Aldora Divers

It seems that you keep your website up to date. Most of us gringos don't want to play the shuffling prices game, and we want straight forward information concerning your prices, services, and dive sites. I assure you, most of us are capable of determining which of the "92 dive ops" we don't want to do business with, especially on the second, third, fourth trip, etc...

 

[Jackie]

Basically, people love to ask the samw questions over and over, even if there is a thread with nearly the same title on the first page. I did this recently (inadvertantly), realized my mistake, deleted the content with an apology and then still ended up with a multipage thread!
I have done Cozumel from the Palace to the Scuba Club to apartments back in the hood to a B&B. I have been with dive ops as big as Dive Paradise and as small as Scuba Tony I don't think that there is one successful way to plan a trip and one persons ideal is not for the next (I do hate the Man cave rooms as scuba club, but other people are very happy there, for example). Even a dive op can tke on a different flavor depending on the group and even the weather/the seas. Of course this is no ones fault, but there are always random, unpredicatable event which influence a vacation.
There are a lot of choices and part of making it work is doing the research or working with a scuba travel agency. The one I used for a solo trip was so helpful that she talked me through the Cancun bag drag on the fly, as my flight to Cozumel was cancelled and I was left in Miami to wait till the next day. She even got me to where I needed to meet the ADO bus!
So yes, resources are helpful to a good experience. Just think that this is laden with difficullties and may not ultimately give people the personal info that they need to see if there is a fit.

 

[Ron Lee]

The one one I used for a solo trip was so helpful that she talked me through the Cancun bag drag on the fly, as my flight to Cozumel was cancelled and I was left in Miami to wait till the next day. She even got me to where I needed to meet the ADO bus!

Probably used this:

Cancun Airport to Playa del Carmen/Cozumel by ADO Bus

 

[annlaur]

Ron, did you create that webpage ? If so, THANK YOU. It is so helpful, used it the first time I decided to take the ADO from the airport and have sent the link to it to several people.

 

[Ron Lee]

Ron, did you create that webpage ? If so, THANK YOU. It is so helpful, used it the first time I decided to take the ADO from the airport and have sent the link to it to several people.

Yes I did Ann. If I were better at HTML/website design I could improve it. It evolves over time as I hear of ways to make it better.

 

[robbcayman]

Here's what I have had to learn the hard way. I'm naturally good at getting the best possible deal. However, I have learned that getting the best price doesn't always mean you're getting the best product/service for your money. Sometimes it actually behooves you to pay more money. The old cliche you get what you pay for holds true the majority of the time. That's not to say I still don't want a little price break, but I'm willing to pay more for a superior product/service versus getting a mediocre or bad product/service for a cheap price.

Just looking at price on the face can make one do foolish things... I know. In this case, not all dive operations are created equally. I think a smart dive operation offers good deals to loyal customers and sets itself apart in the service they provide. It's hard to compare/evaluate that kind of data without having experienced it yourself.

 

[adpfam]

Very interesting debate I am fairly new to diving however I'm not new on the block either . While the idea of data base is interesting but I would still Only trust the information as I would any other source as Hear say . That even goes for the dive op sites . The all provide the best diving where ever they are . Unfortunately this is a croc every body wants the business and will do almost any thing to get it. Which I admit isn't all bad it's the way in whick they do it . a good dive op will do by providing a great product these boards provide a great way in which people can express there thoughts of there experience , albet bias . Thats the joy of being human . The bottom line is that while price is important it's more important to feel that you got good value for your buck . I have dove next to divers that paid less than me for the same dive it doesn't seem fair but that's life. Business is not about being fair its about making money , the beauty of capitalism , providing a service for what ever amount you feel you a willing to part with . At the end of the day ( dive) was spending the money worth it . A good op will make you feel that way a crappy one not so much . I think there are more important factors you should pay attention too such a safety , condition of the boats equip ect and the ability to reach quality dive sites in a reasonable amount time . I ve been on plenty of dives where you have spent a long time getting to a mediocre dive site on a slow diesely boat ( not good value ) however some would be ok with that . Over all each and every one will make their own opinion what a Good dive / dive op is and what you are willing to pay for it . As far a data base it only serves a starting point. I would be happy to just have name location website price range and perhaps a consumers rating scale 1 out 5 and number of reviewers . I like trip advisors idea it's one I use a lot even for diving buts its all public opinion and it's not focused on diving . I it would seem that a good op would strive to see that their customers were happy tripavisore also allow business owners to reply to both good and bad comments. Interesting concept my 2 cents

 

[PowerDude]

What I love most is that we all have different desires and opinions. Well, my opinion is that forums needs to provide the reader information or advice about different dive ops, dive sites and other divers experiences: Good, Bad or Indifferent. This is what I need as educational information on a place I am considering and to provide intelligence to make a better decision.

Below are two of my Dive Reports where I tried to describe my experience allowing other readers to either come back with questions or permit them to use my experience to guide them in their decision process.

http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/fl...eport-disney-epcot-divequest.html#post4974694
http://www.scubaboard.com/forums/de...dive-report-south-carolina-city-richmond.html

One way to accomplish this is by creating a new folder for example. "Cozumel - Reports of Distinction" where Dive Reviews posted in this forum could have a link posted in the new folder. This would allow an easy way for novice to the area to educate themselves on other diver's reports without the reports being buried in the main thread. As for the commercial side, I would appreciate knowing the approximate cost for an adventure but also realize that prices change and specials might no longer be valid - this is life. The intent would be to get in the ball park such to allow further and detailed discussion with the dive op.

My reason for reviewing this thread is that I will be visiting CZM end-March and want to find where the best dive sites are that suit my interest. Dive Reports would go a long way to serve this purpose and I can assure you that in April of next year, I will certainly post back on my experience.

So I hope this compliments Ann's request because information sharing is what Scubaboard is all about. Happy diving and hope to be wet soon!